KATHMANDU: The Himalaya Airlines has started the automated external defibrillator (AED) service in its flights. The Nepal-China joint venture air carrier has installed the AED, a life-saving machine used in case of heart attack and other health complications in flight, in all its aircraft.

It has installed the AED machine in three Airbus 320 and one Airbus 319 airplanes this week, the Airlines stated in a press release. With this Himalaya Airlines has become the first airlines in Nepal to start AED service.

An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.

With simple audio and visual commands, AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layperson, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid, certified first responder, and basic life support (BLS) level cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes.